Paris: With Pen and Pencil eBook

The elder Sue was a very easy, good-natured man, but
had no learning, though he was reckoned a savan
of the first water. Eugene knew this, and wickedly
took advantage of it. His father—­the
doctor—­was in the habit of delivering a
course of botanical lectures to a circle of very select
ladies, and Eugene suspected that his father, notwithing
his voluble discourse, had little knowledge of botany.
He, therefore, with one or two of his companions,
took occasion (as it was their task to prepare plants
and flowers in vases, with their names written upon
the vases for examination) to insert new and unheard
of names to puzzle the old man. He entered the
hall one day, smiling to the ladies on either hand,
and stood before them. He took up a vase, and
for an instant was staggered by the name, but it would
not do to let his ignorance be known, so he very coolly
said, “This, ladies, is the concrysionisoides.”
He hemmed a little, and then for more than an hour
descanted upon the character and nature of the fabulous
plant, it is needless to add, fabricating all the way
through. Eugene was unkind enough not only to
enjoy the scene, but to go and tell the ladies of
the joke.

About this time, the since celebrated Dr. Veron became
a fellow-pupil of Sue’s, and made the fourth
of this band of youthful jokers. They were now
assistant surgeons in one of the Paris hospitals.
Eugene one day made the discovery that in his father’s
cabinet there was an apartment in which he kept a
very choice collection of wines, which were presents
from the allied sovereigns, when they were in Paris.
There were among others, sixty bottles of delicate
Johannisberg, a present from Prince Metternich.
The students soon found the way, led by Eugene, to
this wine, and drank time after time. The question
came up as to what should be done with the bottles.
Eugene proposed that the empty ones be concealed,
but Dr. Veron remarked that their absence would bring
detection. So a plan was hit upon which was far
better—­the bottles were half-filled with
wine and then water was added. The doctor was
fond on great occasions of bringing out this old wine
and telling the story connected with it, and drinking
a few bottles. He thus ordered it on the table
one day, and prepared his guests to expect a remarkable
wine. They drank in silence, while the doctor
exclaimed, “Delicious!—­but it is
time it was drunk.” Eugene was present
and drank his wine and water without any emotion.
But not long after, while the students were drinking
the pure wine, the old doctor entered the cabinet and
caught them at their wicked work. It was an act
never to be forgotten by him, and he was astounded
beyond measure. About this time he also discovered
that Eugene had been borrowing money at usurious interest
to pay debts he had contracted, and he was so indignant
that he ordered him to leave his house. Eugene
joined the army and went to Spain. His father
became anxious for his safety, and had him attached
to the staff of the duke of Augouleme. But young
Sue took good care not to expose himself to much danger.
He passed through the siege of Cadiz, the taking of
Trocadero, and returned to Paris in safety. His
father was delighted to see him, and received him
kindly. But the doctor did not open his purse.